Summary
Resident Evilas a series doesn’t exactly have a single mascot or protagonist, though one man who has been there since the very start and has arguably earned more development out of anyone is Chris Redfield. Chris may have started out as a young and naive S.T.A.R.S member, but he would go on to become a hero to many, considering he’s always more than willing to try and prevent a new outbreak in any way that he can.
It’s fair to say though, so much fighting hasn’t been easy for Chris, and has resulted in an extremely compelling character arc which is most notably touched upon in specific games. While the iconic Redfield may be little more than a side character, or even completely absent from some of theResident Eviltitles, others have been crucially important for showcasing his character, and pushing him to the next step of his personal journey.
Admittedly, Jill is the one who gets most of the focus in theRevelationsspin-off game, but Chris is still a key player in the story, and is even playable for a few missions toward the end of the game.Revelations, however, is a game that really shines a light on the growing relationship between Chris and Jill, which makes the tragic events of the fifth mainline game feel much more impactful.
Playing the game and seeing Chris going above and beyond to rescue Jill is very important for understanding the tight-knit bond that the two share, and with the final scene of the game foreshadowing the events ofResident Evil 5,Revelationsperfectly sets Chris up for the climax to his adventure.
Though Chris only shows up near the end ofResident Evil 7’smain story, it does still mark a pretty big shift for his character, considering it would be his first step into the Mold-related series of attacks that the recent entries have focused on. Rescuing Ethan and Mia would inevitably result in the whole Mother Miranda fiasco, soResident Evil 7essentially acts as a stepping stone to Chris' inclusion inVillage.
Chris does also gethis own DLCthough, where players actually get to control him in a mission where the main target is Lucas Baker. It’s also very interesting to see Chris working with the mysterious Blue Umbrella organization, showing that this is a very different iteration of the character from what was seen before, sparking a new chapter in his journey.
Chris actually doesn’t appear inCode Veronicauntil roughly the halfway point, though when he does show up, he then becomes the main protagonist as players travel back throughRockfort Islandas a brand-new character. The main reason for Chris' inclusion in the game is to build upon his rivalry with Wesker, with the two sharing an incredible action scene near the end which proved to be a pivotal moment in their rocky relationship.
On the other hand, Chris would also get to prove his reliability to Claire by showing up to save her in the nick of time. Not only would he get to see just how capable Claire has become thanks to her experiences in Raccoon City, he would also demonstrate his own willingness to protect his family, no matter how dangerous the situation may be.
TheVillageiteration of Chrisfeels a lot different from the character fans are used to, though it does also make sense why he would end up this way. Years of endless fighting and losing comrades have turned Chris into a dark and moody soldier who even seems like somewhat of a villain at the beginning of the game. Eventually, it’s revealed Chris was actually on the hunt for Mother Miranda, though his decision not to tell Ethan what was going on proved to be a huge issue.
Near the end of the game, Chris even admits he should have told Ethan everything to begin with, showing he’s still retained that signature bit of stubbornness that he’s known for. With that being said, though, seeing Chris not only witness Ethan’s sacrifice, but also learning about the BSAA’s bioweapons, gives him plenty of reason to keep fighting. Despite only having brief screentime, Chris still gets some great scenes here and there inVillage.
It would be no exaggeration to say the Spencer Mansion Incident in the originalResident Evilcompletely changed Chris' life. Before then, he had no experience or knowledge of zombies, or even bioterror in general, but after coming up against giant deadly snakes, lightning-fast Hunters, and terrifying Crimson Heads, he came to learn just what kind of horrors actually exist in the world.
This would also be where Chris formed many important lifelong bonds, such as with Rebecca, but especially Jill, who he would see as his true partner from then on. After managing to flee the mansion in one piece, Chris would embark on a personal crusade against Umbrella, which ultimately kicks off his grand nightmarish adventure into the world of bioterror.
ThoughResident Evil 6featuresthree main campaigns, all of which focus on a particular duo and their own adventure, it’s really Chris who feels like the true star of the show. When Piers finds Chris in a bar at the beginning of the game, the legendary BSAA agent is drinking away his sorrows without a care in the world. This is Chris at his lowest point in the entire series, but after Piers encourages him to come back to avenge his fallen comrades, Chris embarks on one hell of an adventure.
Losing so many people on the battlefield forces Chris to assess his own skills as a leader, with Piers being forced to confront him on numerous occasions to set him straight and remind him what it means to be a true leader. However, there are also some nice moments of closure for Chris too, such as when he sees Sherry all grown up, or the intense moment where he meets Wesker’s son, and invites him to kill him for murdering his father. DespiteResident Evil 6’sdivisive reputation, Chris fans will find a lot to love here in terms of growth as a character.
Chris’s feud with Wesker had been bubbling beneath the surface ever since the very first game, but it was inResident Evil 5where the epic final chapter to this tale would finally unfold. The version of Chris going into the story ofResident Evil 5is worn down and disillusioned due to all the pressures that come with fighting bioterror, but after preventing Wesker from enslaving the world, and finding his old partner, he finally concludes his efforts are worth it in the end.
This would also be an important game because of how it highlights one of Chris' worst character traits; letting his emotions get the better of him. His obsession with finding Jill causes him to get ahead of himself now and then, so it’s interesting to see him struggle with this side of himself before his slightly more mature iterations show in later installments. Being able to put an end to Wesker, and finding the worth in fighting for peace, makesResident Evil 5a crucial game forChris' development.
